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Baracoa, Cuba

At the tip of eastern Cuba, sleepy Baracoa was Christopher Colombus’ landing site in 1492, Cuba’s first settlement and the original capital city.

Like Santiago de Cuba, Baracoa has more of a French influence, due to settlers from Haiti, and enjoys a tropical atmosphere unmatched elsewhere in Cuba, with rich, verdant forests, coconut palms and citrus groves on every side.

Getting to Baracoa

Baracoa is remote but can be reached by a very picturesque five hour drive from Santiago de Cuba. Arriving by road is particularly dramatic as you descend from the mountains in a series of hairpin bends, with beautiful views over the lush landscape to the sparkling Atlantic.

Hotels are simple here but this is a perfect place to absorb the colonial charm of the city, or walk amongst the surrounding mountains.

Suggested Baracoa itinerary

This sample itinerary will give you an idea of what is possible when you travel in Baracoa, and showcases routes we know work particularly well. Treat this as inspiration, because your trip will be created uniquely by one of our specialists.

A comprehensive trip for those with the time to see beyond Cuba's highlights and discover the lesser-travelled east of the country. Start your trip with a flight to Havana where you will spend a few days exploring the capital and surrounding area before travelling to the wonderful historic colonial city of Trinidad. From here travel to the country's revolutionary capital, Santiago de Cuba for a couple of nights and head to the eastern tip of Cuba and the charming fishing village of Baracoa.

Accommodation choices for Baracoa

We’ve selected a range of accommodation options for when you visit Baracoa. Our choices usually come recommended for their character, facilities and service or location. Our specialists always aim to suggest properties that match your preferences.

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Written by our specialists, our destination brochures are not only designed to showcase the countless beautiful places you can travel to, but also to help narrow down the many choices you're faced with when planning a trip.